HRC Blog

Watch: HRC Celebrates 25 Years of National Coming Out Day

On October 11, 1987, half a million people participated in the March on Washington for Lesbian & Gay Rights. The momentum continued four months after this extraordinary march when over 100 LGBT activists from around the country gathered in Manassas, Virginia. Recognizing that visibility was key to gaining equality, they came up with the idea of a national day to celebrate coming out and chose the anniversary of that march on Washington to mark it.

Now, 25 years later, the fact remains: coming out still matters. Over the past 25 years, Americans of all walks of life—celebrities, politicians, athletes, and everyday Americans—have come out and shared their stories. Every person that speaks up changes more hearts and minds and creates new advocates for equality.

As we prepare to commemorate 25 years of National Coming Out Day on Friday, join us in looking back at some of the trailblazing coming out moments in American media that raised the profile of LGBT Americans and sparked important dialogue about the fight for equality.